In the midst of the Tri-Cities [in southeast Washington] there’s a dramatic group of mountains known as The Rattles. Their close proximity to the city means urban dwellers can hike a 15-hundred-foot peak and enjoy dramatic views on their lunch break or even after supper. But it also means these ridgelines are prime turf for expensive view-homes. Now, A band of avid hikers, are trying to protect as much of the area from development as they can. They want to raise money to buy land for a network of public trails.

A group of land owners in Linn County are mobilizing to fight a proposed fertilizer mixing plant near their homes and farms.

Salem-based Pratum Co-op wants Linn County to grant a conditional use permit that will allow it to build a fertilizer mixing plant on land zoned Exclusive Farm Use. The nearly 70-old cooperative provides fuel, fertilizer, and other services to farmers in the Willamette Valley.